DOH, police differ on New Year victim numbers

THE discrepancy in the number of stray bullet victims recorded by the PNP and the Department of Health during the Christmas and New Year celebrations calls for a closer coordination between the two agencies.

DOH-7 Director Susanna Madarieta said they need to work closer together with police authorities because the data that they have are based on the reports from their sentinel sites.

In Cebu City, the designated sentinel sites were Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, Cebu City Medical Center and two private hospitals.

The district hospitals within the province are monitored by the Provincial Epidemiological and Surveillance Unit (PESU) and records were also forwarded and consolidated by the DOH-7.

DOH recorded eight victims of stray bullet in Cebu but the PNP only recorded one.

Deputy Regional Director for Operation Supt. Louie Oppus said he ordered the chiefs of police of Minglanilla, Consolacion, Liloan, Lapu-Lapu City and Danao City to explain their failure to record the stray bullet cases in their respective areas of responsibility.

DOH recorded three cases from Cebu City, one each from Danao City, Lapu-Lapu City and towns of Consolacion, Liloan and Minganilla.

But Oppus explained that they could not ascertain  if those responsible were policemen.

The masking tape used as seal of the nozzle of the issued firearms of the policemen were removed yesterday, and no one fired their service firearm during the New Year celebration.

Sealing off the firearm nozzle of the issued firearms of each policemen using a masking  tape is regularly done a few days before New Year to prevent the policemen from firing their guns indiscriminately during the revelry.

The tapes bear the signature of the head of their unit so they could not  replace it should they fire their guns.

The policemen, however, can use their guns in the line of duty.

DOH is also keen on supporting the suggestion of PNP Chief Nicanor Bartolome to totally ban fireworks during Christmas and New Year to prevent injuries.

“We will help in the advocacy and information dessimination. It should only be handled by authorized personnel and would only be done on special occasions,” she said.

Firearms, Explosives, Security Service Agency and Guards Supervisory Section (FESSAGSS) chief Supt. Rex Derilo said 15 hotels and othe establishments secured permits from their office for their fireworks display.